“The sartorial overhaul for the long arm of the law was one of the few nuggets of information to come out of a long-winded seminar titled ‘Managing Issues, Change and Reputation for the Future of Tourism in Sri Lanka’.”

Suggestions included giving the police jet-skis, “as the government attempts to raise its game in the face of growing criticism from the tourism sector that the industry lacks the infrastructure to provide visitors a safe and friendly environment”.

Alvin notes that “the recent sexual harassment and assault of Dutch tourists in Mirissa had prompted Nimal Gunewardena, chief executive of Bates to take on the onerous task of highlighting the challenges facing the tourism industry”.